Lee's Birding Blog

Itchen Valley CP

2008-08-01T18:52:00.003+01:00

On the 30th July I picked up Ashley Howe at around half 7 in the morning! 15 mins later we were at our destination Itchen Valley CP where we hoped for the signing Grasshopper Warbler. Whilst we walked joking around saying that people had heard a Wren and thought they had a Gropper but at that exact moment it started to reel giving me and Ash the chance to pin down its location In hope of seeing this elusive species in Hampshire.

When we pinned down the area that it was in we met two lovely people Maggi Short and her husband collin. Later on Simon Ingram arrived but had to jet off to work so only had it singing however me and Ash had great views of the bird a short while after. We then went back to my car and travelled the short journey to Lakeside CP but there was anything of note there!

Grasshopper Warbler reeling at Itchen Valley CP!

Rye Harbour, Stodmarsh NNR

2008-05-31T22:26:00.002+01:00

Today my Dad and I went off in search of our 2nd Terek Sandpiper this time at Rye Harbour and again in East Sussex. On arrival we were told the bird had flown off to the river but a few mintues later someone had picked it up feeding at distance. Although fairly distant the views were good enough to be able to tell it was a Terek Sandpiper and in the end the views were quite nice until the bird took flight at around half 2 with a Redshank and headed high and fast towards Dungeness. Subsequently we drove off to Stodmarsh NNR to look for the Whiskered Tern and Red-Footed Falcon and we managed to see the Whiskered Tern without any trouble but due to having a 1st summer male Red Footed Falcon in Hampshire a few weeks ago we didn't stay to look for the Red Foot so we left and arrived home at around half 7.

What a couple of days down in the south along with Thrush Nightingale and Little Bittern a few weeks previous it can't be bad.

Beachy Head, Friday 30thMay

2008-05-31T22:16:00.002+01:00

Yesterday My Dad and I ruhsed down to Beachy Head, East Sussex for a signing male River Warbler and due to road traffic didnt arrive on-site till about 7pm. On arrival the bird wasn't calling until a bird flitted up and into a tree and revealed itself as the River Warbler by signing. Later on the crowd had a great view in the open on the nettles well at least i did and from then on was again more flight views and occasionally seen perched. We left at ten to nine and arrived home at around half ten.

Shatterford

2008-05-24T17:21:00.003+01:00

Last nite my Dad and I went down to Shatterford Bottom in search for the 1st Summer Male Red Footed Falcon that had been present all afternoon! When we arrived there was only a few Hobbies and some bastard biting midgies present and we found out that the bird had last been seen heading over the road therefore we strolled across the road to find it perched on a little bush, good views were held especially wen it flew passed at around 4oft but sadly the light was poor so only a very poor record shot was managed. We left around half 8 when we could see that the bird wanted to roost in a fir tree close to the road where we were stood.

Red Footed Falcon Taken in poor light

Portland and Lodmoor

2008-05-19T08:30:00.004+01:00

Yesterday My family and I went down to Portland in search of quite a few things, first off an Eastern Olivaceous Warbler which wasn't the main target as I had one a few years back at the same place however the main bird was a Thrush Nightingale and the Little Bittern at Lodmoor. On arrival we dipped the Red Rumped Swallow by about 20 minutes so we decided to head off to Portland to try and see the Thrush Nightingale but yet again there was no sign for about an hour and a half so we sat round the Obs quarry till about half 4 only managing to hear the Nightingale which was annoying because t didn't show so we couldn't tick it.

We then moved back down to Lodmoor to try and see this Little Bittern but that hadn't been seen for over an hour aswel so as you might see a pretty dire day or so we thought!

At around half 5 a man shouted Bittern but unfortunatley none of us saw it as all were looking through a hirundine flock to try and find the Red Rumper but shortly after I found the bird again this time perched at the top of the reeds giving all present good views and it then flew left over the reeds towards beachdown way and this is when we left for Portland again.

We arrived back at the Obs quarry to find everyone starting to run so we did the same and there it was the Male Thrush Nightingale sat right out in the open on a bush and it showed for about 20 secs at the most but a good enough view to tell what it was. A look for the EOW was fruitless so we decided to head home.

Once home o shit we forgot the scope so luckily put a message out on rba and some kind man had found it so all good and a good day out!

Female type Little Bittern perched in reedbed at Lodmoor RSPB

Poor record shots of the Little Bittern at Lodmoor RSPB.

Click Images for larger!

Lytham St Anne's

2008-04-20T23:43:00.003+01:00

On Saturday my Dad and I travelled up north to Lytham St Anne's for the adult Ross's Gull that had been seen there the day before. This bird is another one that has eluded us for a few years so was hoping to connect with it and by early morning there was no sign so we decided to head to Marshside RSPB where we saw plenty of avocets, Blackwits and the usual stuff and then after an hour or so we decided to head back to Fairhaven Lake in hope that it would turn up and as we arrived bleep bleep Ross's Gull so we quickly drove a mile down th road to see it sat on the beach sheltering from the wind, we waited another hour or so and had stunning views of this adult gull down to 30ft and some good photo's was taken. We left at around half 4 arriving home shortly after half 8.

Ross's Gull taken at Lytham St Anne's, Lancs

Adult Ross's Gull taken at Lytham St Anne's, Lancs

Little Crake, Exminster Marshes

2008-04-11T23:06:00.003+01:00

Today my dad and I travelled to Exminster Marshes RSPB, Devon for the superb male Little Crake which had been showing down to 20ft but we had heard that this bird was extremely difficult to photograph despite its close proximity.

We arrived on site at around half 11 to find the bird had just flown to ourside of the reeds which was unviewable however after 10 or so minutes the bird flew back across the ditch and continued to show well but the problem now was the reeds and the wind, just as u got the bird in focus a reed came into view and then it unfocused and it kept doing this repeatedly so only a few record shots were managed. We left at 3:00pm after it had disappeared 4 about 3 hrs.

record shot of the Male Little Crake at Exminster Marshes Devon.

Dungeness RSPB

2008-04-11T22:51:00.004+01:00

News broke at around half 9 of a Dark Eyed Junco at Dungeness so straight away my Dad and I was on our way without any hesitation as we missed the last bird (in Norfolk due to hesitation) we arrived on site at about 3 hrs later due to a poor journey but after a few minutes I had my first view of this little cracker which was a 1w bird.

We waited another good 1hr so that my dad could see the bird and eventually the bird sat in a bush for about 30 minutes for all to see however my pics of this bird was pretty poor as we had limited time and it wasn't as obliging as the pager 1st suggested.

Poor record shot of the 1st winter Dark Eyed Junco taken at

Dungeness!

Cornwall

2007-12-30T21:23:00.000Z

Yesteday My Dad and I left Hedge End at 4.00am to leave for cornwall because of the recent Hume's Yellow Browed/Leaf Warbler that had been present in Cot Valley. Before we went one thing was bothering us, this would be our sixth attempt for this bird and we hadn't had it yet so would this be the case again?

Thankfully is wasn't after we had found the site along with another birder we had stunning views of this quite strikingly pale individual, whilst there we had the bird calling which is the main way we found it and we left at about 10:30am.

Record shot of Hume' Leaf Warbler taken at Cot valley.

After this we dropped into Drift to look for the 15 Cattle Egrets that had been present at Treganhoe Farm for quite a while, well we found the farm alrite but no sign of any birds so after about an hour we gave up and went to Mount's Bay to look for some Divers and sure enough we had a nice Great Northern Diver close inshore while I was photographing around 25 Purple Sands on the rocks below the Jubilee Pool.

Purple Sand taken at Jubilee Pool.

Purple sand again Jubilee Pool

Purple Sand.

We then went back to Drift but this time I looked at the white birds in the distant fields which I didn't bother to look and what do you know there they were three in flight briefly drifting over a hedge, Therefore we went up to Sancreed and we found a Footpath that leaded towards the Fram so we parked up by the Church and then walked down the Footpath.

5mins later we were stood at the field where the Egrets were but unfortunately there was a thick hedge however this didn't stop the Cattle from moving up to us and they brought the Egrets with them and luckily for me I managed to find a little hole in the Hedge which was just big enough for my lense and I managed some pleasing shots of a close individual.

1 Cattle Egret of 15 present.

Cattle Egret again.

Click them for larger images.

Blashford Lakes HWT

2007-12-30T21:05:00.000Z

On the 28th of December my Dad and I went down to Blashford Lakes as they have had a good spell of decent birds which include Cattle Egret, Great White Egret, Bittern, Red Necked Grebe and a couple of Black Necks.

First of all we visited the Feeding station and got Siskins one of which was a superb male (see photo) also all of the usual. Moving on we headed for the Ivy North hide where the Bittern had been showing and after about an hours wait it produced no more than a Moorhen but then a Water Rail flew out from the reeds (Patch tick) and immediatley after the Bittern strolled out of the reeds and swam straight (another patch tick) for us until it reached the Nearest reeds where I managed some shots, after about 5mins it walked back into the reeds where it came and we moved on.

Then we went for the Cattle Egret nearby but it flew off just before we got there and wasn't seen again that evening. Finally we stopped off at Mockbeggar to see the Great White Egret and this we managed to see but unfortunately we didn't see all 5 species of heron present we only managed 4.

The Bittern which showed well from the Ivy North Hide.

Click for larger image.

Keyhaven Marshes

2007-12-30T21:01:00.000Z

On the 27th December my Dad and I went down to Keyhaven Marshes to look for the Long Tailed Ducks and Velvet Scoters. During our stay we managed to see both but not much else of interest just the usual. On the way back we stopped off at Sowley Pond to see if we could find a Bittern, we failed but saw another LTD.

West Sussex 2

2007-12-30T20:43:00.000Z

On the 26th December my family and I travelled down to Southwick again to try and get better pics of the Little Auk and the Long Tailed duck but would be happy with a view of the Glaucous Gull. When we arrived we went straight to Hove Lagoon to look for the Long Tailed Duck and this time it was showing down to 3oft but also the light was amazing so some good shots/views were had, then we went to look for the Little Auk however this didn't show aswell and I was lucky to get any shots at all. We again missed the Glaucous Gull but it apparantly flew over our heads whilst watching the Little Auk!
On the way home we stopped of at Titchfield Haven NR to look for the Bittern and Iceland Gull but we left with neither however we did get some nice views of Pochard from the bridge.

Long Tailed Duck taken at Hove Lagoon.

Long Tailed Duck again.....

and again....

Click them for larger images.

West Sussex 1

2007-12-30T16:53:00.000Z

On the 23rd my Dad and I made the short journey east to Southwick to try and get the Little Auk, Long Tailed Duck and the Glaucous Gull which had taken up residence there. On arrival the Long Tailed Duck was showing very well but unfortunately the photos were poor due to the bad light, moving on to the Little Auk nothing had changed the light was again poor and the bird was showing down to 10ft at times. During our stay we couldn't find the Glaucous Gull so we headed back stopping off at West Wittering but some stupid people that had hang gliders landed in the field where it was and subsequently it flew off before we got there.

Long Tailed Duck taken at Hove Lagoon into sun.

Little Auk taken at Southwick on Southwick Canal.

Click for larger images.

Red Necked Grebe

2007-12-16T18:21:00.000Z

Yesterday My Dad and I went down to little Anglesey Lake, Alvestoke to have a look a the recent Red Necked Grebe which we haven't previously had one in Hampshire and when we have had one elsewhere in the UK the views have been poor. However this bird was no more than 100m away st the max distance and it came to about 30m away from the car. I managed to get some half decent shots but the light was poor so hopefully this bird will stay and make it into summer plumage. Other birds seen on the small lake were 4 Red Breasted Mergansers but we didn't see the pair of Goldeneye that were there the same as us.

Red Necked Grebe taken at Little Anglesey Lake

Red Necked Grebe again near Alvestoke

Red Necked Grebe siz comparison with Black
Headed Gull

Red Breasted Merganser taken at Little Anglesey

Click them for larger images

Sturt Pond

2007-12-10T18:09:00.000Z

Yesterday afternoon my Dad and I went down to Sturt Pond near Hurst Castle to try and find/locate the recent Lapland Bunting that had been present in the Finch flock which have been commuting between two Fields near Sturt Pond.
On arrival it was tipping it down so we decided to stay put and view from the car and as one would expect the results were poor with us just managing to id a Male Reed Bunting. (really it was that poor!!) Then at about 12.45pm the rain cleared and it allowed us to get out and get a proper look at the Finches and 15mins later I found myself listening to a call that I had previously not heard so the first thought was Lapland Bunting, luckily for us the bird in question landed on a rock on top of the shingle bank and there it was the Lapland Bunting.(only my second record in Hants) It then flew off with all the other Finches into the stubble fields and could not be relocated, all that was seen was a few Bramblings and an adult Mediterranean Gull feeding just offshore on the surf.

Dark Bellied Brent Goose part of a flock of c500 taken at Sturt pond

Click them for larger pics

Blashford Lakes HWT again

2007-12-09T16:36:00.000Z

Yesterday My Dad and I went down to Blashford Lakes HWT to try and get 60 species as there wasn't much about. First stop was the Ivy South hide and there we found the usual stuff which were Gadwall, Wigeon, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Cormorants etc.

Then we went over to the Goosander Hide which over looks Ibsley Water, fom here we had Goldeneye, 15+ Goosanders and 2+ ad Yellow Legged Gulls. We then went to the Lapwing hide which was pretty crap so we moved on fairly quickly and whilst walking back to the car we had the Great White Egret fly over our heads.

We left for home at about 4pm and had a total of 59 Species which all in all was a pretty rubbish day so if the sun had been shining who knows what we would have had.

Chaffinch which was taken from the Woodland hide.

Male Shoveler taken from the Goosander Hide over looking Ibsley

Water.

Click them for larger pics

Shipton Bellinger, Nr Andover

2007-12-01T17:35:00.000Z

Today we headed up to Shipton Bellinger near Andover for the remarkble record of a Juvenile White Tailed Eagle that had been present for a week or so. On arrival at around 10.00am there was no sign but after about a minute or so the huge bird flew fairly low passed the crowd that had congregated to see it. We then watched the bird circle around the fields/woods for a further 30mins which allowed a photo or two, other birds seen were plenty of Buzzards, kestrels, Sparrowhawk, Peregrine and Thrushes were plentiful. After the Eagle had drifted south we decided to make the short journey south to Blashford Lakes HWT to have a look around before we headed home. Here we had the usual stuff such as Gadwall, Wigeon, Teal, Tufted Duck, Pochard etc my Dad also had the Black Necked Grebe on Ibsley water + 17+ Gossanders and a Peregrine on the shingle, then we headed home at 3.00am after the heavy rain set in.

The Juvenile White Tailed Eagle taken at Shipton Bellinger.

Male Gadwall taken at Blashford Lakes HWT.

Blue Tit taken at Blashford Lakes HWT from Woodland Hide.

Mistle Thrush taken at Blashford Lakes HWT near Carpark.

Coot taken at Blashford Lakes HWT bathing in front of Ivy South

Hide.

Click them for larger pics

Lakeside CP

2007-11-27T09:11:00.000Z

On Sunday 25th November my Birthday we had planned to go to Lakeside CP to try and get some better pics of the Slav Grebe and then onto Keyhaven to look for some Long Tailed Ducks but this didn't happen coz we tried for the Imm White Tailed Eagle that had been present near Andover but we missed that aswell however we did manage to get to Lakeside for the Slavonian Grebe.

Slavonian Grebe taken at Lakeside CP

Slavonian Grebe taken at Lakeside CP.

Click them for larger pics

Hampshire Birding

2007-11-17T20:18:00.000Z

This morning my Dad and I decided to travel around Hampshire to look at some of the decent birds at this moment in time. First stop was Lakeside CP which is just a few minutes drive from us to look at the Slavonian Grebe which has taken up residence there for the past few days. On arrival it was showing well albeit distant but after about half an hour it was showing down to 30ft which allowed some photographs to be taken.

And then the views were even better down to about 10ft but unfortunately the light was poor throughout our stay. Next stop was Blashford Lakes HWT to look for the Black Necked Grebe and Great White Egret. On arrival we spent some time looking at the feeders which held Siskins, Goldfinches, Greenfinches, Nuthatches, Great Tits, Blue Tits, Coal Tits, Long Tailed Tits, Chaffinches and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

After this we headed out onto Ibsley Water to the Goosander Hide to look for the Black Necked Grebe and straight away we picked it out amongst lots of Wildfowl which included Teal, Wigeon, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Ruddy Duck, Pintail and Gadwall. Other birds on show were Avocet and an adult Yellow Legged Gull.

We then moved onto Mockbegger to look for the Great White Egret and as soon as I got out the car there it was walking left but unfortunately viewable for only 2 seconds before dissapearing behind an Island.
However we then went round to the next viewing screen where it flew in and landed fairly close giving excellent scope views but a bit too distant for bird photography. Other birds seen were 10+ Goosanders amongst the usual.
Before heading home we dropped into Eyeworth Pond to have a look at some Mandarin Ducks. We had two (1Drk) which showed well, we then went home.

Click the link below for pics of Slav Grebe and More...

http://pic6.piczo.com/leefullers-birdphotography/?g=48025443

Walpole Park

2007-11-16T22:47:00.001Z

Yesterday I went to work with my Dad and luckily he was working right next to Walpole Park so I took this oppotunity to go and photograph the Ring Billed Gull. I arrived at Walpole at half 8 but couldn't find it on the boating lake so after about an hour of waiting I decided to go to Haslar Creek as all the gulls were on the grass eating some bread and sure enough there he was however he flew back out into the Creek so I didn't get any pics. I then decided to head back and tell my Dad the news.

After a well earned tea break I set back out to Walpole Park at about half 11, I then had to wait a full 3 hours for the bird to reappear but this time it was on the lake and showing extremely well down to about 20ft. After getting some pleasing shots of the gull on the water I wanted to get some action shots as the light was good and the sky was blue so I nipped over to the nearby Iceland and got some ham and bread.

At first the bird wasn't interested but as the feeding got more frantic it soon couldn't resist and it was then squabbling with the Black Heads and Commons. Therefore it allowed me to get some really good pics of it in flight. Other birds photographed were Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Black Headed Gull, Common Gull and Little Egret which all allowed a close approach.

After a total of about 5-6 hours at this site during the day my Dad joined me at 3pm after a hard days work to watch the Gull in the fading sunlight.

Click the link below to see pics of the Ring Billed Gull and more. Trust me there are some good pics on there.

http://pic6.piczo.com/leefullers-birdphotography/?g=48023240

Western Isles

2007-11-05T10:53:00.000Z

Left Southampton at 7.00pm and arrived roughly 12 and half hours later at Uig after picking up Hugh Price and Mark Payne. While waiting for the boat to dock we managed to see Red-Throated Diver and a Summer plumage moulting into winter plumage Great-Northern Diver with plenty of Hooded Crows around. Also we had a Golden Eagle which flew across the harbour just as we were docking the boat. Birds we had on the boat were 2 more Golden Eagles as we were going out of the harbour, 3 Pom Skuas, a few arctic Skuas and not much else.Once on the Island we went straight to the Mourning Dove to find that it hadn't been seen for 25 mins so we then had a scan of the nearest loch which held lots of wildfowl which included Whooper Swans and we managed to find the R-n Duck. We then had to wait a full 1 hour and half to get our first glimpse of this beauty but it didn't stay long. Then we went round the island to look for the Arctic Redpoll but no such luck but we did find a large flock of Barnacle Geese which Mark searched through but couldn't find the Lesser Canada goose like Archie Archer did.Later that afternoon we went back and had another look at the Mourning Dove which was then showing extremely well down to 20ft.We then spent the rest of the evening in the Dearg Hotel sinking a few Beers and having a good old chat.The next morning we were up nice and early and we wandered around the immediate area looking at all the bushes trying to find something, the best was a Brambling which was flying around and a Black guille flew out of the harbour. We went and had a quick look at the Mourning Dove and the Ring Necked Duck and here thrushes were plentiful. Then we headed back to the Boat.The boat journey back was alot more productive with Arctic Skuas, 3 Poms, 4-5 Stormies and a Little auk all being seen. We also heard that some other people had Grey Phal and Leach's Petrel.Once back a Uig we had another Black Guille and 3 more Golden Eagles but the Best bird on the way home was a pair of adult White-Tailed Eagle's which flew over the Mountain tops near to the twon of portree Harbour.So all in all a great trip with some top birds and also some good company. We arrived home at 4.15am this morning.

Click the link below to see the pictures from this trip.

http://pic6.piczo.com/leefullers-birdphotography/?g=47750616

New Forest

2007-10-27T19:54:00.000+01:00

Whilst driving through the forest we came across a heard of Deer which turned out to be Red which are quite unusual in the Forest but then an even more unusual sight was a huge buck which I haven't seen in the New Forest yet so I was quite pleased.

Red Deer buck with his Females.

Click for larger image.

Black Gutter/Pitt's Wood

2007-10-25T16:14:00.000+01:00

Today my Dad and I went down to Black Gutter in search of the recent Great Grey Shrike and despite dreadful weather we managed to see fairly well along the path to Pitt's Wood. Also we saw lots of Thrushes like Redwing, Song, Mistle and a few Fieldfares but the most unexpected bird came in the form of a Woodpecker. Yep you got it a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker that was feeding quietly underneath a tree trunk. We then returned home in the increasingly poor conditions.

Isles Of Scilly

2007-10-23T12:22:00.000+01:00

Yesterday my Dad and I went to the Isles of Scilly for a couple of things, these were Wilson's Snipe and Blackpoll Warbler. We arrived at Sennen village at 7.30am for a brief search for the Blyth's Pipit before we had to depart from Penzance on the Scillonian 111 and as expected we didn't see the Pipit. After a dreaded two and half hour crossing we finally arrived on the St Mary's but on the crossing we had the following birds lots of Gannets, 2 Bonxies, 4+ Arctic Skua, 1 Balearic Shearwater, 1 Sooty Shearwater, 1 Puffin and 2 shearwater sp.

Once on the Islands we headed straight for Lower Moors where a Wilson's Snipe had been Present but hadn't been seen since the day before. On arrival there was plenty of Snipe one of which was showing very well but no Wilson's until a Snipe sp flew in and landed in front of the hide and there it was. A very distinctive bird by it's plumage as it was so much greyer than the supporting cast of Snipe. There was also a very confiding Greenshank present.

Next stop was the Blackpoll Warbler which in previous years had eluded us but would he make it a second time running? Well we looked for the Higher Moors trail but instead ended up in the Carreg Dhu Gardens looking at a stunning 1w Red Breasted Flycatcher which showed extremely well at times.

Then we finally found where the Blackpoll Warbler had been present and the news from people staying on the Island/Locals was that it hadn't been showing since morning and wasn't showing well but this wasn't the case. We arrived to be greeted by stunning views and towards the end it came right out in the open and down low allowing some photo oppotunitys.

We then headed back to the Carreg Dhu Gardens for some lunch and as soon as we put down our bags a superb Song Thrush flew and fed out of our hands. A few more great views were obtained of the R B Fly before we headed back to Lower Moors to try and get another view of the Wilson's Snipe however just as we entered the hide we heard news of a Pallas's Warbler just opposite to where we were. We ran over but there was no sign however we did have a cracking Siskin which showed to 10ft.

Then we returned home on the boat after a cracking day out on the Scilly's, the only thing I regret is not staying over there because the birds were extremely tame and it was a shame about the light. Therefore I was shooting all of the pics at a shutter speed of 160 or less which means it is crap for action shots which gives blurry shots.

To see my pics from the Scilly's click on the link below.

http://pic6.piczo.com/leefullers-birdphotography/?g=47474109

Norfolk

2007-10-22T00:25:00.000+01:00

On Saturday 20th October my Dad and I went for two birds. Humes Yellow Browed Warbler and Little Bittern, we left with neither but I wasn't too disappointed because there will be others and I also got some nice pictures of the following species Oystercatcher, Knot, Sanderling, Long Tailed Tit, Pink Footed Geese and Waxwing including a self-found bird.

Click the link below for Pictures from Norfolk.

http://pic6.piczo.com/leefullers-birdphotography/?g=47573307

My Garden

2007-10-19T15:43:00.000+01:00

This morning I spent an hour or so looking at my garden feeders hoping to try and get some nice shots of some of the commoner birds such as House Sparrows etc. I did manage to get some pleasing shots of House Sparrow but an unexpected bird was a Goldcrest which showed really well for around 30 secs which allowed some nice shots of this hard species to photograph.

Here are my Results:

Female House Sparrow taken in my Garden.

The unexpected vistor. Goldcrest.

Goldcrest taken in my garden.

Today's Goldcrest looking at me.

Click them for the all important detail.

Keyhaven Marshes

2007-10-14T18:38:00.000+01:00

After my Brothers football match my family and I went down to Keyhaven Marshes to see if we could find the Little Stints that were Present. As we arrived all of the waders were put up and we thought that that was it but luckily all of the waders returned with the Little Stints present.

During our stay we counted at Least 8 juvs present but they were always spread out in one's or two's which made it difficult, we were also lucky to see them at close range which was nice. Other birds seen were 100+ Black Tailed Godwits, 30+ Redshanks, 1 Greenshank, 10+ Dunlin, Gadwall, Teal, Snipe and a superb male Pintail.

1 of the 8 juv Little Stints present on Fishtail Lagoon

Juvenile Little Stint present on Fishtail Lagoon.

Click Them for Larger Images

Selsey Bill and Pagham Harbour

2007-10-13T19:01:00.000+01:00

Today my Dad and I travelled down to Selsey Bill in search of the Adult summer White Billed Diver that had been present all week. We arrived just before 11.0oam to find that it hadn't been seen since a possible sighting at 8.00am therefore we spent little time searching and instead went to Pagham Harbour to have a look for Pectoral Sandpipier.

Common Gull in flight taken at Selsey Bill, West Sussex

Common Gull in flight again of Selsey Bill, West Sussex

Mediterranean Gull taken at Selsey Bill, West Sussex

Mediterranean Gull in flight taken at Selsey Bill, West Sussex

After some lunch we arrived at White's Creek to find two other birders who were watching the Sandpiper feeding on the shore but instead of being confiding it was quite wary due to the Redshanks that kept flying up and flushing the bird. However half an hour later it flew round the corner so I ran round to the gate and sat on the shore waiting for the Pec sand to walk by (hopefully).

As I sat down I couldn't see the Sanpipier but a Redshank which allowed a photo oppotunity but when I looked closer there it was the Pec Sand about 30ft away feeding on the muddy areas. (others have had it to 3ft!!)

Consequently I got some good shots but the light wasn't that good therefore a slow shutter speed was used. News then broke of the White Billed Diver back at Selsey, so we then drove back to the bill hopefully to get a view of this cracking Adult bird.

Confiding Juvenile Pectoral Sandpiper taken at Pagham Harbour,

West Sussex

Pec Sand taken at Pagham Harbour, West Sussex

Click Them for larger Pics

On arrival it was again not showing but a short walk up the beach led us to some birders who were on it. Although distant the views were good enough to identify the white bill, white neck patch, white blotches on the back and the black colour. This indeed would be a bird which I might not see again in British waters in this plumage and Im glad that I had the chance to see it. (this is my second White Billed Diver in a year following the Hayle bird this year)

I also hope the Pectoral Sandpiper stays until next weekend so I can try and get some even better pics.

Farmoor Reservoir

2007-10-09T11:06:00.000+01:00

Early this morning my Dad and I travelled up to Farmoor Reservoir following the news last night that there was an American Buff Bellied Pipit present at dusk. We left at 6.20am and arrived at 7.30am to find 50 or so other birders present. Then at 8.00am we got told that it was still present on the causeway so we all rushed up the bank to be told that we could drive round to stop us from getting wet.

When we arrived at the causeway only a few people had seen it due to the dreadful conditions but after about 20 minutes the rain eased off and it then began to approach us from below the wave wall. Id features noticed was the buff flanks/belly, dark legs, pale fringes to wings and the diffusely streaked breast. It continued to come our way allowing to get some poor record shots in the heavy rain and around 9.00am it flew off with to Rock Pipits but was still there 1 hour and 45 minutes later.

American Buff Bellied Pipit taken at Farmoor Reservoir in poor
Weather conditions.

American Buff Bellied Pipit taken at Farmoor Reservoir,
Oxfordshire

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Needs Ore NR

2007-10-08T12:18:00.000+01:00

On Saturday 6th October my Dad and I went down to Needs Ore NR as we had just renewed our permit. First stop was the Blackwater Hide but before you get there you have to walk across a field with lots of bushes and a few pools. The bushes held no more then a few robins and Finches but the fences held lots and lots of stonechats. As we aprroached the hide we flushed a Green Sandpiper from the pool and a wheatear flew up from the grass, in the hide there was plenty of birds especially wildfowl. Birds of note were 7+ Pintail, Tufted Duck, lots of Teal, Mallards, 2-3 Little Grebes and a few shoveler mixed in with hundreds of Wigeon.

Pintail taken from the Blackwater Hide

Next we went to the Estuaire de L'Orne Hide which is normally the best as it is looking out over the estuary along with the pool itself. Here we had 2 Greenshanks which briefly landed really close to the hide, a couple of Black-Tailed Godwits flew up from behind the Island along with a Green Sandpiper and a few Redshank. Also there was lots of Lapwings which got flushed by a Merlin which darted through and headed of towards the point, a Kestrel hunted and 2 Little egrets flew around continuously.

Greenshank that showed well from the Estuaire de L'Orne Hide

Greenshank taken at Needs Ore NR

Pheasant taken from the Estuaire de L'Orne Hide

After this we decided to take a walk back to the car and then drive up to the point in search of the Merlin went that way. On the way back we had nothing more than we did the first time until we found a Whinchat along the fence with some Stonechats.

When we arrived at the point there was nothing to see until we found a Buzzard sat on the shingle, a closer inspection then revealed the Merlin distantly sat on a Post. After having a drink we walked to the end of the point and again we found the Merlin but this time sat on top of the hide which was soon spooked by a person fixing a boat and the a second Merlin joined the other one and we lost them to view. The only other things of note at the point were some Greenshank, Curlews and 2 Wheatears.

Pheasant taken in flight from the Point

Wheatear taken at Needs Ore NR at the Point

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Norfolk and Kent

2007-10-06T17:31:00.000+01:00

On the 29th of September my family and I went up to Norfolk for the day starting at Cley Coastguards. We arrived at Cley Coastguards at roughly 6.40am where we got out and down a short sewatch which was about an hour or so long. Birds of note were 2 Bonxies flew east, Puffin sat close inshore along with Razorbill and Guillemot, 4 Red-Throated-Divers 3 flew east and 1 west and lots of Gannets mostly flew east.

Then we started to walk up Blakeney Point until the news broke of a juvenile Sabine's Gull back at the Coastguards, as we were walking back we spotted the Gulls diagnostic wing pattern and it landed on the pool nearest to us so we went closer. After about half an hour the Gull showed superbly well down to 30ft.

Juvenile Sabine's Gull which was showing very well on a pool near

cley Coastguards.

Juv Sabine's Gull taken at Cley

After some pleasing photos of the Gull we continued our walk along Blakeney Point and straight away found 3 Snow Buntings feeding on the beach which were unusually hard to approach. Other birds encountered were lots of Redwings, 1 moribund Puffin, 1 Ring Ouzel, Chaffinch, 2 Golden Plovers, Lots of sanderling and hundreds of Meadow Pipits. We then returned to the Car park because we was torn between going for the Paddyfield Warbler or staying in Norfolk.

1 Snow Bunting of the 3 birds that were unusually hard to

approach at Blakeney

After a 10 minute wait we decided to go for the Paddyfield Warbler in Kent and 4 and a half hours later we were watching the Warbler at close range. (down to 3ft)

The light wasn't that good but the pictures came out fairly good. We left the site at around half five but before going we managed to see the long staying Red-Backed Shrike and a couple of Ring Ouzels, we arrived home at about 8.30pm.

A very confiding Paddyfield Warbler that was showing to 3ft at

St Margarets at Cliffe.

A very showy Paddyfield Warbler taken in Kent

A very showy paddyfield Warbler taken in Kent

A very showy Paddfield Warbler taken in Kent

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Shelford, Nottinghamshire

2007-09-22T21:34:00.000+01:00

This morning my Dad and I made the 2 and a half hour journey up to Shelford, Nottinghamshire for the juvenile Long-Tailed Skua that had been present the week before. On arrival the bird was distant feeding on insects etc apart from a couple of times where it flew up past the crowd giving excellent views. Whilst waiting for the Skua to give a better view and allow a photo opportunity we found a very confiding Wheatear.

And finally the skua landed near to the path allowing time for a photograph and a nice view, we then left for home at about 5.45pm with some pleasing photos.

Wheatear in the same field as the LTS.

Long-Tailed-Skua in serach of food

juv Long-Tailed-Skua

Juv Long-Tailed-Skua

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Farlington Marshes

2007-09-15T18:37:00.000+01:00

This morning my Dad and I yet again went to Farlington Marshes at around 11.30am in hope of seeing the Spotted Crake but even after a five hour wait we couldnt see it but this was probably due to two kids and a women who decided to stand on the edge of the ditch and throw stones.

Other bird included 3 wheatears, 2 Hobby, 1 Curlew Sand, 50+ Grey Plover, 2 Water Rail and a very confiding Dunlin on the seawall which we suspected was the bird that got caught by a Sparrowhawk but was dropped shortly after.

Showy Dunlin on the seawall

Showy Dunlin on seawall

Showy Dunlin On seawall

Showy Dunlin on seawall

Showy Dunlin on seawall that had presumbly been caught and

then dropped by a Sparrowhawk

Lapwing that was on the exposed mud

Starling that we saw on bramble bush

Starling Flock that was encountered in the bushy area

Wheatear that we saw on seawall near main lake

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Farlington Marshes again

2007-09-11T20:01:00.000+01:00

This evening my Dad and I went down to Farlington Marshes again in search of the Spotted Crake and again in proved a waste of time. Other birds of note were Kingfisher, 3 Curlew Sands (all juvs) and we managed to locate the merlin perched distantly from the seawall.

Stanpit Marshes

2007-09-06T20:02:00.000+01:00

This evening my Dad and I shot down to Stanpit Marshes for the Wilson Phalarope at 5.00pm. Despite the pager saying that it was showing well this wasn't the case, the scope views were indeed excellent but for photography it was far too distant even for digiscoping.
While watching the Phalarope fly off to a nearby channel due to the rapidly rising tide we scanned through the waders to see what we could find, they included:
70+ Dunlins
5 Curlew Sands (all juvs)
2 Bar-tailed godwits and a Knot amongst the more commoner species. We then returned home at 7.00pm.

Botley

2007-09-03T08:45:00.000+01:00

During my paper round this morning at 7.30am I had a Hobby which flew Low over botley and then headed NE. This is the second time I have had a Hobby over Botley in a period of a few weeks.

Hayling Island and Farlington Marsh HWT

2007-09-02T15:54:00.000+01:00

A later start today arriving at Hayling Island at around 10.45am for the juvenile Red-Backed Shrike that had been present the evening before. On arrival there was no sign of the bird west of the approach track but a closer inspection revealed the bird on the east side of the track near the entrance to Mill Rythe Holiday Park.The bird showed well throughout our stay but was a little bit too distant for any photographs.

A short while after we made the short journey west to Farlington Marshes HWT in search of the 2 Spotted Crakes but after an hour searching we still drew a blank. Other birds seen were 1 Spotted Redshank, 1 Greenshank, 7 Knot, 60+ Dunlin, 2 Curlew Sands and hundreds of redshanks. We then returned home at 2.00pm.

Elmley Marshes RSPB

2007-09-01T19:42:00.000+01:00

My Dad and I left Southampton at around 5.15am arriving at Elmley Marshes RSPB at 7.15am. We came here in search of the one thing, a Long Eared Owl that had been present the week before in the orchard.

On arrival we quickly found ourselfs looking at a stunning hobby perched in and oak tree, closer inspection then revealed a Barn Owl sat in the box. Further up the track we found yet another Owl, this time in the form of a Little Owl which was again in the oak trees. (not bad for 15mins birding).
A few minutes later we found it, a superb Long Eared Owl perched in a hawthorn in the orchard.
After a few photos of the LEO we moved up to the hides which was an exhausting walk to say the least, at the hides there wasn't much of note except 2 Spotted Redshanks, 4 Common Sands, 1 Green Sand, 2 Avocets and a few Ruddy Ducks.

We then scanned the Swale in search of an Osprey which had also been present the day before, within 5 mins of searching we found the Osprey hovering over the estuary in search of fish. Shortly after it was joined by another Osprey and they continued to fly up and down the Swale in search of food.
Then we made the dreaded hike back to the car and had a well earned lunch break.

After this we returned to where the LEO was roosting to see if it had woken up and if the photos could be improved and we wasn't wrong. It had woken up and was preening for quite some time.
In the field behind we noticed loads of Yellow Wags mostly juvs but there was some smashing adults mixed in. Also we found a Spotted Flycatcher that was sat along the fence row and it was unusualy tame allowing me to get within 10ft of it.
We then went home arriving back at Southampton at 5.30pm.

The Long Eared Owl that was present in the orchard

The tame Spotted Flycatcher that allowed a close approach.

Two Ruddy ducks that we saw around the reserve.

Hirundines were plentiful including this young Swallow.

Yellow Wagtail that was present in the fields behind the orchard.

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